What a pleasure to have Paul Markillie, Innovation Editor of The Economist, back in the office. Over a cup of tea he showed us his latest slides, videos and research into how the development of new materials, advances in robotics, and the advent of 3D printing are revolutionising global manufacturing. The effect this will have (and is already having) on supply chains, production costs, our ability to innovate and indeed society’s whole attitude to making things, is quite astounding. You can view his Special Report on the Third Industrial Revolution from earlier this year here.